Between the Lives - By Jessica Shirvington Page 0,78

mention for my achievements in French, and Dex got a mention for his remarkable sporting performances.

I could hear Mom clapping loudly and gave her and Dad a wave. Dad looked great in a charcoal suit. He was sporting a new haircut, working the salt-and-pepper look for all it was worth. He probably had a new love interest. But he was there, applauding me along with Mom, Lucas and Lyndal – who was wearing a shocking shade of purple. Mom kept sending her horrified looks. I was willing to bet Lyndal had done it just for the kick she got out of irritating Mom.

After the ceremony, everyone hung around drinking coffee and tea and taking photos. Dex’s parents insisted on having me in their family shots, which should have made me beam, but instead made me feel queasy. All too quickly the day was over and everyone started heading off to prepare for the dinner.

‘We’re so proud of you, darling,’ Dad said, walking me to the front of the school grounds where Miriam was waiting. Miriam, Lucy and I had long planned to get ready for the evening together.

‘Thanks, Dad.’

‘I can’t believe my youngest child has finished school,’ he said, shaking his head proudly.

‘Yeah. You are getting pretty old,’ I quipped.

He looked to the sky as if having a private word with God and smiled.

‘Your mom and I will see you at the party. We are still invited, aren’t we?’

‘Yes, but remember –’

‘Just for two drinks,’ he cut me off. ‘After which we have to leave.’

I nodded, satisfied it wouldn’t be my parents who would linger annoyingly. Including them in the cocktail portion of the night was a nice gesture and all, but some parents could prove hard to move on.

I spotted Dex as I slipped into Miriam’s car. He was heading out with Noah – probably to go hang out at Brett’s before the evening. He winked and threw me a look that suggested he couldn’t wait for the night ahead. There was a time I would’ve killed for that look. Instead, my fingers went to my lips and my thoughts travelled to another world. To another person altogether.

‘Come on!’ Miriam yelled. ‘We only have, like, two hours to get ready and get to the Pavilion!’

She was right. I closed the car door. ‘Let’s go.’

‘I’ve got first shower,’ Lucy snapped.

‘Three bathrooms, brainiac!’ Miriam replied.

‘Oh, yeah.’ Lucy laughed. But then her eyes narrowed. ‘I’ve got first go of the hair straightener.’

Silence. Then both Miriam and I erupted. ‘No way!’

The bantering and laughing didn’t stop until we were dressed and ready.

Lucy wore a shimmering golden gown with tiny spaghetti straps. It looked amazing against her olive skin and perfectly styled dark-brown curls. She kept her make-up simple and looked all the better for it, applying her trademark strawberry lip-gloss at the very end.

Miriam had gone with a cherry red colour and the dress floated effortlessly around her perfect figure, highlighting everything it should. Her hair fell loose and wavy around her shoulders and she wore a thick gold retro necklace low around her neck. On anyone else it might’ve looked weird, but Miriam owned the look.

Beside them, staring into the full-length mirror, I was wearing the black dress I’d coveted since first laying eyes on it. It was simple but elegant. Slimline all the way to the ground with a small kick in the fabric at the base. The top of the dress cut a straight line across my chest, and the straps draping my shoulders were made of intricate lace that was also featured in the corset. I had my hair down and styled around my face, thanks to Miriam, and black strappy shoes to finish the look.

‘We look perfect,’ Miriam said, clapping her hands.

Lucy and I couldn’t help our small nods.

‘Tonight is going to be amazing,’ Lucy agreed. ‘And just think, come tomorrow, everything will be different.’

Lucy didn’t realise just how right she was. ‘Sabine, what is it with you? You’ve been doing that all day,’ Miriam said, starting to laugh.

I looked into the mirror again and saw I had my fingers pressed to my lips. ‘Oh, nothing. I … I …’

‘Am just thinking about Dex?’ Lucy offered.

I nodded even as I swallowed hard.

‘Brett says that Dex is totally making all these plans for you guys in the future. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if he asked you to move in with him soon,’ Miriam said.

‘Oh. We’ll see,’ I said in a daze, my fingers unconsciously going back to